Grandpa's bumper numbers on...

 

Cpl. Lester H. Pattee served as a half track driver with 1st Armored, 6 Infantry Regiment, 3 Infantry Battalion, Headquarters Company all through their campaigns in WWII. He was one of the original soldiers to be pulled in to form the Big Red One. He was actually one of the soldiers in line to be discharged from the Army on 7 December, 1941. Instead of being discharged, he received orders to deploy with his division to Ireland, and later to Algiers to participate in Operation Torch. He remained with this unit throughout the war and was discharged at some point after the battle at Anzio.

 

 

 

I've been digging through the wartime photos my mother has, hoping to find good pictures of his actual vehicle markings. Most of them are in blue drab, so they're very difficulty to read. I have noted one change I need to make to the front (already). The numbers should read [1^/6-I  3-I     HQ 161] with the '[]' as ends of the bumper and the ^ as a triangle. I don't have his actual vehicle number, though I know he was Headquarters Company, so I substituted my old bumper number: HQ 161, from Headquarters Company 2/7 Infantry, 24th Infantry Div.

 

I'm hoping to pick up a pair of used bumperettes at some point, and I'll get the back numbered as well.

Bretto, I do like Pink Floyd. I didn't know that about his father. I'll have to see if I can find out what unit he was with.

 

If you'd like to ship, our address is

1111 War Eagle Ave

Athol ID 83801

 

If you'd rather meet in Blanchard, let me know what works for you.

Thanks again!